For the first time since 1961, Borgward is about to start making cars again. And it’s going to kick off by selling a petrol-engined SUV in China

You’re most likely to have heard of Borgward if you like your cars classic. But the Frankfurt show sees the return of the German marque after 54 years in the wilderness, as it launches the BX7.

This is an SUV in the Audi Q5 mould, and it will be introduced to Europe some time after going on initial sale in China in the first quarter of 2016.

It’s understood that most vehicles will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 221bhp. This will be available with a dual-clutch auto option, and four-wheel drive will also be on the palette.

With no word of a diesel at this stage, markets with a thirst for low-carbon SUVs will cast their eyes on the 296bhp hybrid which Borgward is said to be developing. This is understood to have an all-electric range of up to 34 miles.

Borgward is yet to let the world see what the BX7 will look like inside, but it promises to ‘change the way you think about the car’ with the telematic systems it will feature.

Going forward, a second vehicle will be unveiled next spring as part of a product roll-out designed to built momentum towards an annual sales target of 1.6 million cars a year by 2025. The company has spoken of its plans to become a major force in the industry by offering cars which it says will be ’luxurious, inventive and bold’.